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Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Gepubliceerd in:

29-08-2023 | Original Paper

Symmetry Detection in Autistic Adults Benefits from Local Processing in a Contour Integration Task

Auteurs: Sabrina Subri, Letizia Palumbo, Emma Gowen

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders | Uitgave 10/2024

Abstract

Symmetry studies in autism are inconclusive possibly due to different types of stimuli used which depend on either local or global cues. Therefore, this study compared symmetry detection between 20 autistic and 18 non-autistic adults matched on age, IQ, gender and handedness, using contour integration tasks containing open and closed contours that rely more on local or global processing respectively. Results showed that the autistic group performed equally well with both stimuli and outperformed the non-autistic group only for the open contours, possibly due to a different strategy used in detecting symmetry. However, there were no group differences for the closed contour. Results explain discrepant findings in previous symmetry studies suggesting that symmetry tasks that favour a local strategy may be advantageous for autistic individuals. Implications of the findings towards understanding visual sensory issues in this group are discussed.

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Titel: Symmetry Detection in Autistic Adults Benefits from Local Processing in a Contour Integration Task
Auteurs: Sabrina Subri
Letizia Palumbo
Emma Gowen
Publicatiedatum: 29-08-2023
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders / Uitgave 10/2024
Print ISSN: 0162-3257
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3432
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-06093-5

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